Newslip Episode 3 25.01.09

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Welcome to Newslip. I'm Wesley Gerrard and today's date is Sunday, 25th January 2009. Here are the stories making this week's news...

BBC presenter, Jonathan Ross, returned to television after a three month ban due to him making lewd comments on Russell Brand's radio show. The successful return to television saw a massive increase in Ross' viewers from 3.7 million in October to 5.1 million on Friday night. The show had special guest, Tom Cruise, and Ross extended an apology about his recent actions as well as recognising a newfound responsibility, being allowed such priveleged opportunity to publicly broadcast.

Much-loved artist and TV presenter, Tony Hart, has died peacefully at his Surrey home at the age of 83. Hart was most famous for the children's art programme, Hartbeat, where his companion was a babble-speaking plasticine character named 'Morph'. Hart was also famous for originally designing the Blue Peter badge. His television career had spanned almost half a decade and he had received a couple of Baftas for his work. His art career was terminated after he had in recent years suffered a couple of strokes.

Talented England and Liverpool midfielder, Steven Gerrard, has appeared in court to face charges over his alleged involvment in a nightclub brawl in December. The 28-year old star spoke at a hearing at North Sefton magistrates court only to confirm his details and to register a not-guilty plea to the charges of assault and affray that have been levied. Gerrard appeared in court with two fellow defendants. They have been accused of causing facial injuries to the DJ of the Lounge Inn in Southport. The case has been adjourned until 20th March.

The Florida swamps have seen a clash of reptilian titans. A 13 foot python and a 6 foot alligator fought to the death with both animals being found dead by stunned Everglades rangers. The python is believed to have exploded when it tried to swallow the alligator whole. Normally an alligator would be expected to win such a clash as they are number one in the food chain. Burmese pythons, however, who have found their way into the habitat as released, unwanted pets, are certainly challenging for predator dominance.

Statistics have demonstrated a sharp increase in knife crime in England and Wales. The number of fatal stabbings in 2007-8 was 270, the largest amount recorded since 1977. Between July and September 2008, robberies involving knives were up 18 percent on the previous year's figures. Also there were increases recorded in fatal stabbings and attempted murder with a knife. There was better news regarding the use of guns with firearms offences during the same period falling by 29 percent.

Digital Evangelism rose to new heights this week when Pope Benedict XVI launched the new Vatican Youtube channel. In his first message on the new channel, the 81-year old pope said: "You must find ways to spread - in a new manner - voices and pictures of hope, through the internet, which wraps all of our planet in an increasingly close-knitted way," It is understood that the pope is fond of technology and he aims to reach the ears of the new digital generation.

A 20-year old man has been charged in Belgium with the murder of two babies and a nurse at a nursery school in Dendermonde. The frenzied knife attack left ten further children and two adults injured. The 20 year old man, called Kim D, had white makeup covering his face with two black patches over his eyes. The makeup suggests a link with the joker character from the Batman movies. Heath Ledger, the actor who played the Joker in the Dark Knight died a year and a day prior to the date of the attack.

Police in The Bahamas have arrested two people in an alleged plot to extort money from film star, John Travolta. The icon's sixteen year old son, Jett, recently tragically died on the island and it is believed that an arrested ambulanceman and female senator were trying to obtain $20 million from Travolta in return for not selling pictures of his son's dead body.

The UK is now officially in recession for the first time since 1991 after two successive quarters reported a decline in GDP. For the last three months of 2008 GDP fell 1.5% following a 0.6% decline in the previous three month period. The fall in quarter to quarter gross domestic product was the worst since 1980. Some economists have warned that not only are we in a recession but more like a depression akin to that seen post Wall Street Crash during the 1930s.

And this week's top story...

On Tuesday the 44th President of the USA was inaugurated before an enraptured audience in Washington DC. Barack Hussein Obama becomes the first African-American president and is seen by much of the world as a welcome breath of fresh air following the outgoing George W Bush, Republican administration. Obama grew up in Hawaii, the son of a Kenyan goat herder. He later spent time in Indonesia before moving back to the United States where he trained as a lawyer. Both his father and step-father are Muslims and it is hoped that Obama's upbringing will help resolve some of the many world crises in which America is involved. Already this week, Obama has declared that Guantanamo Bay will be shut down and in between implementing the initial phases of his economic recovery plan, Barack found time to call Gordon Brown, the first European leader to be contacted by the new administration.

That's the end of this week's episode. We look forward to updating you again next week...Until then....Goodbye.

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Newslip Episode 2 18.01.09

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Welcome to the second episode of Newslip. Today is Sunday, 18th January 2009. I am Wesley Gerrard and I'm here to present a brief outline of stories making the news this week.

Welsh TV presenter and singer, Charlotte Church has named her new baby boy. Her second child to rugby star, Gavin Henson, born on Sunday, 11th January, will be called Dexter Lloyd. At birth the new baby weighed 7lb 5oz, and was delivered with Henson present at the Welsh couple's Vale of Glamorgan farmhouse. The baby is a brother for the couple's 15-month-old daughter Ruby Megan. Charlotte and Henson have been together for four years but have said that they do not plan to marry "any time soon".

Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has received the United States' highest civil award - the Medal of Freedom. In his final week of office, President George W Bush gave the medal to Mr Blair in the company of fellow recipients, Colombian President, Alvaro Uribe, and former Australian PM, John Howard. Bush praised Blair and thanked him for his "staunch" support for the US after the attacks of 9/11. Mr Blair's spokesman said the medal was a "great honour".

After the race row instigated by Prince Harry last week, his royal father followed in his footsteps as it emerged that he had been calling an Asian polo player by the nickname, 'Sooty'. Kolin Dillon responded to the media uproar by saying it was a "term of affection with no offence meant or felt." Republicans have seized the opportunity to criticise the royal family but in contrast with Harry's more controversial remarks last week, Prince Charles' actions appear frivolous.

Tourism officials in Australia are inviting applicants to apply for "the best job in the world". They want someone to work on a tropical island off the Queensland coast. In return for six months work, the successful applicant will receive a salary of £70 000 and get to live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa, complete with pool. The new recruit will work for just 12 hours a month. Duties include feeding some of the hundreds of species of fish and collecting Hamilton Island's mail. The job is being advertised around the world. Candidates have until 22 February to submit an online video application.

Outgoing US president, George Bush has spent the week delivering final farewells. He spoke to the press for the last time and then went on to deliver a final television address to the American people. In his speech he reflected on eight years of office, defending the decisions he made, in particular those concerning the wars in which he has been involved. He warned of the future terrorist threat and wished president elect, Obama, a happy future term.

Transport minister, Geoff Hoon, has announced government approval for a third runway to be built at London's Heathrow airport. The increased capacity would mean that the annual takeoffs and landings could rise from 480 000 a year today to 720 000 by 2030. Building the new runway would mean the loss of around 700 homes. Environmental activists have expressed their deep concerns and Conservative and Liberal Democrats are opposed to the scheme. Labour also faces a potential backbench revolt in parliament.

Manchester City have tabled a bid in the region of £107 million for Brazil and AC Milan football star, Kaka. The bid, if accepted will more than double the present world record fee of £46 million, paid for Zinedine Zidane. Whereas Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager has stated that the deal is far from certain, AC Milan owner, Silvio Berlusconi has said that the sheer scale of the bid makes it very difficult for Milan to retain the services of the talented midfielder. It is believed that Kaka's potential wages will be £500 000 a week.

A US Airways plane has crashed into the Hudson river in New York City harbour. Pilot, Chesley Sullenberger, said that the plane hit birds, causing both engines to fail. After the emergency landing, all 155 passengers survived with about half of them being treated for minor injuries. The pilot is unable to speak publicly while an investigation into the crash continues but has the keys of the city waiting to be presented to him for his heroic actions.

Eighties pop star and DJ, Boy George, has been jailed for 15 months following a conviction for imprisoning a rent boy at his London flat. The Norwegian, Audun Carlsen, was beaten with a chain and escaped in only his boxer shorts and trainers while still handcuffed. Boy George claimed that he was trying to recover some stolen items from the victim but the judge said that the pop star was guilty of 'gratuitous violence.'

And this week's top story:

Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, has declared a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. The three week campaign came to an end at midnight today. the conflict has taken the lives of nearly 1200 Palestinians, many of them women and chttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhildren. It is understood that Israeli forces will stay in the region and not pull out immediately, something which Hamas has branded as unacceptable. The threat to return to force should rocket attacks continue has been promised. Israel claims that their objectives in destroying the Hamas military infrastructure have been achieved.

That's all for this week. Thanks a lot for tuning in and I hope to see you all soon.

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Newslip Episode 1 11.01.09

Welcome to Newslip, your brief weekly news update. I am Wesley Gerrard. Today is Sunday the 11th of January 2009 and this is our inaugural episode. In this week's news we have ten stories to present to you... If you want to see the site in its original context please visit the main website Also the site can be seen at Youtube and Myspace A record chill has been felt across Europe with at least seventeen lives being claimed across the region. Most of southern France is blanketed in snow and Milan in Italy has had to shut its two airports. In Eastern Germany, a weather station recorded temperatures dropping as low as minus 27 degrees centigrade. Conversely, temperatures in Australia are soaring, as it experiences an extremely hot summer heatwave. The siege of the Saudi oil tanker, the Sirius Star, has finally ended after owners of the plighted ship arranged for a plane to parachute a $3 million ransom to the Somali pirates which have held the crew hostage for the past two months. Two Britons were among the 25 strong crew and reports suggest that they are both safe and well. English cricket was hit by a storm on Wednesday when the relationship between captain and coach became untenable. Kevin Pietersen resigned as captain due to the breakdown and coach Peter Moores was sacked. Andrew Strauss has been appointed as the new permanent captain. Film star, Patrick Swayze, has been admitted to hospital, suffering from pneumonia. Earlier this week he spoke on an ABC news interview about his battle with pancreatic cancer. The star of Ghost said: 'Am I dying? Am I giving up? Am I on my death bed? Am I saying goodbye to people? No way.' Despite his comments he admitted that he expected to be dead within two years. A Tory activist was expelled from the party after boasting to friends on his facebook page how he dressed up as the missing girl, Madeleine McCann, at a New Years Eve Party. Matthew Lewis apologised to Madeleine's incensed parents and his position as branch chairman of Staffordshire's Conservative Future is now listed as vacant. The Head of MI5, the British secret intelligence service, Jonathan Evans, warned that the decline in economic power of the West, due to the international recession, could be a watershed moment in the maintenance of domestic security. As the balance of economic power shifted away from the West, Mr Evans predicted that new threats would emerge. As well as the ongoing rise of Islamic fundamentalist activity, the MI5 chief suggested that there has been a rise in spying by growing economic powers such as Russia and China. After a dispute over payments by the Ukraine for their gas supplies, Russia cut off all supplies of the raw material to their neighbours. This had a knock-on effect across Eastern Europe as Ukraine is the transit route for gas pipes from Russia to Europe. During the particularly cold spell which has hit the continent, many homes across Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Serbia have been left without their energy. An accord has now been reached between the leaders of the disputing countries and the gas supply is expected to be resumed shortly. Manchester United and Portugal football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, who, during the summer was branded by FIFA chief, Sepp Blatter, as a wage slave, crashed his Ferrari this week in a tunnel at Manchester airport. As the wreckage of the sports car was cleared from the road, the uninjured Ronaldo went to training with his teammates at the United training ground. Police are yet to decide on whether or not to prosecute the 23 year old for dangerous driving. Video footage has emerged of Prince Harry in which he brands one of his colleagues in army barracks as a 'Paki'. In the same video he is heard calling another fellow army cadet a 'raghead'. The third in line to the throne has previously hit headlines after offending Jews when he turned up dressed as a Nazi at a party. Harry has apologised for his comments and claims that they were taken out of context. And this week's top story... We have entered the third week of the bloody Israeli invasion of Gaza and the number of dead has dramatically increased since Israel launched the ground offensive against Hamas insurgents. The number of civilians killed, however, has been prolific, especially since the attack on a school as well as an alleged bombardment of a UN aid convoy. The total number of Palestinian fatalities is now in excess of 850 whereas only 13 Israelis have died. Both sides rejected a UN resolution for peace and embassies across the world have been besieged by infuriated demonstrators. Of course, the really big news this week is that Newslip has been launched. We hope you enjoyed the program and will continue to support us in the future. We are also available on You Tube, Podomatic, Myspace, Facebook and have several blogs as well as the newslip.co.uk website. We'll be back next week to update you all. Good bye.